Learn more about freezing your credit with the three credit bureaus

A credit freeze allows you to restrict access to your credit report, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. A credit review cannot happen without a credit report, and creditors will not extend credit or open new accounts.

You must temporarily lift the freeze for a specified time to open a new account, apply for a job, rent an apartment, or buy insurance.

While a credit freeze can help prevent identity thieves from opening accounts using your information, it will not prevent a thief from accessing existing accounts. It will not prevent pre-screened offers of credit.

All the national bureaus are required, by law, to offer you credit freezes for free. Remember, freezing your credit will not impact your credit score or prevent you from getting your free annual credit report. Your existing creditors and certain governmental agencies will still have access to your credit report.

Place a credit freeze with the three bureaus

You will need to contact each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. If you do not freeze your credit at all three sources, your credit file will still be available for lenders.

After receiving your freeze request, each credit bureau will provide you with a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or passwords in a safe place. You will need them if you lift the freeze with each bureau.

Almost all states, a credit freeze lasts until you temporarily lift or permanently remove it. In a few states, it expires after seven years.

Disclaimer

^§For Norton offerings provided to you by a Service Provider or through channels outside the United States, the LifeLock identity theft protection services and coverage, plan feature names, and functionality might differ from the services offered directly by Norton. Please contact your Service Provider for details on their Norton plan offerings.

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